IGCSE History Tuition

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What is IGCSE History? Why study it?

IGCSE History (0470) is an internationally recognized qualification designed for secondary school students. It provides students with the opportunity to explore world history, focusing on significant events, developments, and issues that shaped the 19th and 20th centuries. Through this course, students develop critical historical skills, including analysis, interpretation, and the ability to construct well-supported arguments.

Studying IGCSE History (0470) equips students with an understanding of the past and how it has shaped the present. It fosters a deeper understanding of social, economic, cultural, and political changes, helping students to become informed citizens with a global perspective

Your track record in the IGCSE History Tuition course is one of the key factors that will determine your college acceptances. Work with certified IGCSE History Tuition Examiners to get that 7/7.
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IGCSE History Syllabus: Topics + Overview

IGCSE History (0470) is a pivotal part of the IGCSE curriculum, offering insights into key historical events and their impact on the world. Whether you plan to pursue further studies in history or want to develop a broader understanding of global issues, this subject serves as a critical foundation. It’s ideal for students interested in humanities and social sciences, preparing them for advanced studies or careers in these fields.

Topic

Core + Extended

Only Extended

Revolutions of 1848 (Option A)

Recommended Learning 15 Hours

Content Description
Understanding the causes, events, and outcomes of the 1848 revolutions across Europe. (10-15% weight)


Unification of Italy and Germany (Option A)

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Content Description
Study the processes and key figures involved in the unification of Italy and Germany. (15-20% weight)


American Civil War (Option A)

Recommended Learning 15 Hours

Content Description
Examining the causes and consequences of the American Civil War. (10-15% weight)


Imperialism (Option A)

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Content Description
Analyzing the motives and impacts of 19th-century imperialism. (10-15% weight)


Origins of the First World War (Option A)

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Content Description
Investigating the long-term and short-term causes of World War I. (15-20% weight)


Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations (Option B)

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Content Description
Understanding the outcomes of World War I and the role of the League of Nations. (15-20% weight)


Hitler's Foreign Policy and the Outbreak of WWII (Option B)

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Content Description
Analysis of the factors leading to WWII, focusing on Hitler's foreign policy. (15-20% weight)


Cold War Origins and Conflicts

Recommended Learning 25 Hours

Content Description
Exploring the causes and key events of the Cold War. Detailed study of the Berlin Blockade, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Korean War. (20-25% weight)


USSR Control Over Eastern Europe

Recommended Learning 15 Hours

Content Description
Examining the USSR's influence in Eastern Europe from 1948–1989. Detailed analysis of Soviet interventions in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. (10-15% weight)


Depth Study A: The First World War, 1914-18

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Content Description
Study of key battles, trench warfare, and the global impact of the war. (15-20% weight)


Depth Study B: Germany, 1918-45

Recommended Learning 25 Hours

Content Description
Exploring the Weimar Republic, the rise of Hitler, and Nazi Germany. (20-25% weight)


Depth Study C: Russia 1905-41

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Content Description
Analysis of the fall of Tsarism, the Bolshevik Revolution, and Stalin's rule. (15-20% weight)


Depth Study D: The United States, 1919-41

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Content Description
Examination of the economic boom, social changes, and the impact of the Great Depression. (15-20% weight)


Depth Study E: The Second World War in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, 1939-c.1945

Recommended Learning 25 Hours

Sub-topics
Study of the key events and strategies in WWII in Europe and Asia-Pacific. (20-25% weight)


Revolutions of 1848 (Option A)

Topic

Recommended Learning 15 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Understanding the causes, events, and outcomes of the 1848 revolutions across Europe. (10-15% weight)

Only Extended


Unification of Italy and Germany (Option A)

Topic

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Study the processes and key figures involved in the unification of Italy and Germany. (15-20% weight)

Only Extended


American Civil War (Option A)

Topic

Recommended Learning 15 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Examining the causes and consequences of the American Civil War. (10-15% weight)

Only Extended


Imperialism (Option A)

Topic

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Analyzing the motives and impacts of 19th-century imperialism. (10-15% weight)

Only Extended


Origins of the First World War (Option A)

Topic

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Investigating the long-term and short-term causes of World War I. (15-20% weight)

Only Extended


Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations (Option B)

Topic

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Understanding the outcomes of World War I and the role of the League of Nations. (15-20% weight)

Only Extended


Hitler's Foreign Policy and the Outbreak of WWII (Option B)

Topic

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Analysis of the factors leading to WWII, focusing on Hitler's foreign policy. (15-20% weight)

Only Extended


Cold War Origins and Conflicts

Topic

Recommended Learning 25 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Exploring the causes and key events of the Cold War. Detailed study of the Berlin Blockade, Cuban Missile Crisis, and Korean War. (20-25% weight)

Only Extended


USSR Control Over Eastern Europe

Topic

Recommended Learning 15 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Examining the USSR's influence in Eastern Europe from 1948–1989. Detailed analysis of Soviet interventions in Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. (10-15% weight)

Only Extended


Depth Study A: The First World War, 1914-18

Topic

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Study of key battles, trench warfare, and the global impact of the war. (15-20% weight)

Only Extended


Depth Study B: Germany, 1918-45

Topic

Recommended Learning 25 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Exploring the Weimar Republic, the rise of Hitler, and Nazi Germany. (20-25% weight)

Only Extended


Depth Study C: Russia 1905-41

Topic

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Analysis of the fall of Tsarism, the Bolshevik Revolution, and Stalin's rule. (15-20% weight)

Only Extended


Depth Study D: The United States, 1919-41

Topic

Recommended Learning 20 Hours

Core + Extended

Content Description
Examination of the economic boom, social changes, and the impact of the Great Depression. (15-20% weight)

Only Extended


Depth Study E: The Second World War in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, 1939-c.1945

Topic

Recommended Learning 25 Hours

Core + Extended

Sub-topics
Study of the key events and strategies in WWII in Europe and Asia-Pacific. (20-25% weight)

Only Extended


Download full sub-topic list for the IGCSE History Tuition Core and Extended.

Download Syllabus

IGCSE History Exams and Past Papers: Overview

The assessment of IGCSE History is divided into three main objectives: knowledge and understanding of historical content, construction of historical explanations, and interpretation and evaluation of sources. Each paper is weighted differently based on these objectives:

Paper 1

All students

40% of final grade

Time Alloted:
2 hours (120 mins)

Format:
60 marks – in the form of structured questions, all questions are in the form of structured essays, split into three parts: (a), (b), and (c )

Content:
Students answer two questions from Section A (Core content) and one question from Section B (Depth studies)

Example Question

Imperialism

“European imperialism impacted the local populations in different ways. Describe the work of missionaries in nineteenth-century Africa. Why was the Boxer Rising important for China? Which was more beneficial for the local population, indirect rule in Nigeria or assimilation in Senegal? Explain your answer.”

Paper 2

All students

30% of final grade

Time Alloted:
1 hour 45 minutes (105 mins)

Format:
40 marks – in the form of document questions

Content:
Students answer one questions on one prescribed topic taken from Section A (Core content). Students are presented with a range of source materials relating to each prescribed topic. The prescribed topics change in each exam series.

Example Question

Italian Unification

“Study Source C. This source was not drawn until 1910. Does this mean it cannot provide any useful evidence about Italian unification? Explain your answer using details of the source and your knowledge.”

Component 3

All students take either Component 3 or Paper 4

30% of final grade

Time Alloted:
NA

Format:
56 marks – in the form of short answer questions

Content:
Focuses on advanced topics withing the Core curriculum (e.g geometry, mensuration)

Example Question

Algebra

(a) A football team has w wins and d draw. The team scores 3 points for each win and 1 point for each draw. Write an expression, in terms of w and d, for the total number of points scored by the team. (b) Athletic, Rovers and United are three football teams. Athletic have a point score of x. Rovers have 12 points more than Athletics point score. United have 3 points fewer than twice Athletics point score. The total point score of all three teams is 121. Use this information to write down an equation in terms of x. Solve your equation to work out the pont score of each team. (c) Simplify 4a - 3b + 5a + 6b 6(2x+1) - 5(x-2) Solve the simultaneous equations. You must show all your working. 3x + 5y = 11 2x - 3y = 20

Paper 4

For Extended Students Only

35% of final grade for Extended students

Time Alloted:
2 hours (120 mins)

Format:
40 marks

Content:
Students produce one piece of extended writing based on a depth study from the syllabus or a depth study devised by the centre.

Example Question

Depth Study B: Germany

“Assess the significance of Kristallnacht.”

Download all the free past papers

Download Free Test Paper

IGCSE Math History Overview - Core and Extended

The assessment of IGCSE History is divided into three main objectives: knowledge and understanding of historical content, construction of historical explanations, and interpretation and evaluation of sources. Each paper is weighted differently based on these objectives:

Assessment Objective

Paper (Core1)

Paper 2 (Extended)

Paper 3 (Core)

Paper 4 (Extended)

AO1 Knowledge and Understanding of Historical Content

33%

20%

38%

38%

AO2 Construction of Historical

67%

0%

62%

62%

AO3 Interpretaiton and Evaluation of Sources

0%

80%

0%

0%

Is IGCSE History Difficult?

IGCSE History (0470) can be challenging due to its focus on understanding complex historical events, analyzing different perspectives, and constructing well-argued responses. The subject requires strong reading comprehension, critical thinking, and the ability to recall detailed historical facts. However, with consistent study, effective use of resources, and practice in writing structured essays, students can excel. The key is to engage with the material actively and develop a deep understanding of the historical contexts and issues covered in the syllabus

2023 Cumulative Grades

Cumulative grades of IGCSE students
IGCSE History Tuition
275,000+
Students took IGCSE History
B
IGCSE History Average Score

Ascend Now Examiner Tips

Understand the Context

“Always place events and figures in their broader historical context. Knowing the 'why' behind an event is just as important as knowing the 'what'. This understanding will help you craft more insightful and well-rounded answers.”

Scott

IGCSE Tutor

23+ years experience teaching History

Practice Source Analysis

“Get comfortable with analyzing primary and secondary sources. Pay attention to the author’s perspective, the purpose of the source, and the historical context. Practicing this skill regularly will make Paper 2 much easier to tackle.”

Dean

Plan Your Essays

“Before you start writing, take a few minutes to plan your essay structure. Make sure each paragraph has a clear point that ties back to the question. A well-organized answer will always score higher than a rambling one, no matter how much knowledge you include.”

Enoch

View All IGCSE History Tuition Tutors

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